The Door Is Open: The Music Of Gregg Hill
OA2, 2024
8/10
Listen to The Door Is Open: The Music Of Gregg Hill
The inimitable guitarist Randy Napoleon continues his exploration of songs by Gregg Hill, and here he’s joined by an all star cast for the exciting 9 jazz tracks.
“The Lost Tune” starts the listen with Napoleon’s warm guitar alongside Rick Roe’s lovely piano and Lucas Lafave’s agile bass in the rich climate that showcases Aubrey Johnson’s glowing voice, and the title track follows with Quincy Davis’ firm drums complementing the soothing vocal scatting and flowing keys.
Approaching the middle, the frisky “Motel Blues” uses horns from Anthony Stanco, Walter Blanding and Andrew Kim for a soulful delivery, while “April Song” lands on the more intimate side of the equation, as Napoleon’s pretty guitar is met with emotive piano and hazy vocals.
“Skyline” and “Triple Play” exit the listen, where the former is a frisky and textured album highlight that bops and shakes with an infectious energy, and the latter welcomes Rodney Whitaker on bass for the dense, rhythmic and meticulous finish.
A body of work that can swing with adventurousness just as it can retreat to gentle ebbs, Napoleon and company make the most of every fluid moment here.
Travels well with: David Friesen- This Light Has No Darkness: Volume 1; Bill Anschell- Improbable Solutions